Martin de Porres: A Saint of the Americas (15 Days of Prayer) [Paperback]

Brian J. Pierce (Author)

Book Description

Series: 15 Days of Prayer | Publication Date: July 1, 2008

Martin de Porres is a saint for all people and all times. Born in Peru in 1579, he died at age sixty. His life combined the apostolic zeal of Saint Dominic, the simple love for creation of Saint Francis and the endless compassion for the poor and sick of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. In 1962, he became one of the few saints canonized by Pope John XXIII.

Saint Martin did not write any books or preach any sermons. His life was his preaching. He initiated a new expression of the spiritual life: radical, simple and holy. He had the gift of spontaneous joy and a capacity for turning the suffering and oppression of the poor into an encounter with God. For that he is known today as the patron saint of social justice.

Each chapter concludes with pertinent reflection questions that can be used for group discussion or personal reflection.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

BRIAN J. PIERCE, O.P., is a Dominican friar of the Province of St. Martin de Porres in the southern part of the United States. He has lived and ministered in Peru, Honduras, and Guatemala, and presently serves as the Dominican Order´s Promoter of the Dominican Family for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: New City Press (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764812165
• ISBN-13: 978-0764812163
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,006,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Mysticism
  • #100 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Catholicism > Saints

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thoughful Modern Biography Of An Overlooked Saint !, July 8, 2007

By 

Brien Comerford (Glenview, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Martin de Porres: A Saint of the Americas (15 Days of Prayer) (Paperback)

Brian J. Pierce adeptly wrote a very compelling and inspiring biography of Martin De Porres that can connect with modern times. Martin De Porres was a black-skinned Peruvian saint who had to endure ungodly discrimination centuries ago. He was tenably one of the most humane and compassionate individuals to ever grace the earth. His charity was boundless and he aided the rich, the poor, fellow Dominicans, outcasts, slaves, prisoners, dogs, cats,birds, mice, chickens, bulls, calves and insects. Known as the apostle of charity and patron of social justice, Martin De Porres was a benevolent pacifist who never harmed any person or animal. He refused to eat flesh-food because the slaughtered animals were creatures of God. He was also known as a miraculous healer who performed many miracles. Pierce does a great job via mitigating some of the supernatural attributes that Martin De Porres reportedly had. When I finished this book I concluded that Martin De Porres was a spiritual ancestor and peer to Albert Schweitzer, Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez and Dick Gregory(specifically Gregory's vegetarianism). A very uplifting and solacing book for readers of all ages and faiths.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saint of the Americas, March 6, 2011

By 

JMack (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Martin de Porres: A Saint of the Americas (15 Days of Prayer) (Paperback)

"Martin de Porres: A Saint of the Americas" is a portrait of the life of the saint. Obviously, approximately 100 pages is far from thorough, but this is still an enlightening read. Perhaps the only disappointment a reader may have is that this book is more a devotional than a biography. Each of the 15 chapters is constructed with a topic focus, a story focusing on some aspect of Martin de Porres, and reflection question. Without knowing this, some readers may be disappointed in their purchase.

In the 15th century, Europe was colonizing the Americas and creating many of the same conflicts in South American that are printed in American history textbooks. Martin de Porres is the son of a freed African slave and a Spanish hidalgo (Christian warrior). Before reaching adulthood, he was largely abandon by both parents. If these circumstances were not enough to make him an orphan, he was a child from the two cultures from ouside Peru. Needless to say, these outisde cultures were not popular. Subjected to prejudice, he gave his life to God. To view the stories of his life as simplistic is to overlook their beauty. The author does a tremendous job of presented the stories in the proper context.

Martin de Porres is not known for great miracles or groundbreaking doctrine. His sainthood is a reminder to those in the 21st century that even the smallest act of love in ordinary things daily is the work of the Lord. If readers take nothing else from this book, Martin de Porres would be pleased.